Tips For Choosing A Ceiling Fan With Lighting

A ceiling fan with integrated lighting may be just what you need if your room doesn’t get enough natural light and there aren’t enough light fixtures in it. The fan will keep you cool and brighten up your room, and you can avoid installing a separate light fixture. These tips to choose a ceiling fan with lighting will help you to pick the right model based on your needs:

Pick a ceiling fan with the right type of lights

Numerous ceiling fans with different types of lights are currently available. You can pick a fan with a single light or multiple lights that matches the décor of your room.

Many ceiling fans have a single light in the center, which is often covered by frosted glass.

You can also look for a more decorative model that features multiple lights.

While some models direct most of the light downwards, others spread more light towards the sides, providing more illumination all over the room.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can look for fans that use incandescent bulbs, CFL bulbs, halogen bulbs, or LED bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs

Many ceiling fans use incandescent light bulbs that brighten instantly, provide a warm light in all directions and reveal colors accurately.

These bulbs are the cheapest option and don’t require any special holder or switchgear.

However, they don’t last as long as other types of bulbs.

They also radiate more heat and use much more energy than more energy-efficient bulbs.

CFL bulbs

Many ceiling fans use compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs that use around 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 7 – 10 times longer than them.

They come in a variety of designs and may emit cool or warm light.

However, CFLs take much longer to brighten fully, especially when it’s very cold.

Most CFLs are not dimmable and turning them on and off frequently can affect their performance and life.

Besides, CFLs contain tiny amounts of mercury and they should not be used in certain types of sockets.

Halogen bulbs

A halogen bulb is a type of incandescent bulb that produces light instantly and is dimmable.

It uses about 25 – 30% less energy than a regular incandescent bulb and can reveal the color of objects accurately.

Halogen bulbs comply with the new federal energy-efficiency standards and are not going to be phased out with regular incandescent light bulbs.

However, they cost more than standard incandescent bulbs, and some of them don’t last much longer than them.

LED bulbs

Light-emitting diode bulbs or LED bulbs use a little less energy than CFLs, and they may provide warm or cool light.

Manufacturers claim that they can last for as long as 20,000 to 50,000 hours.

They brighten instantly, and their performance is not affected when they are turned on and off frequently.

However, they are heavier and come in unusual shapes.

All LED bulbs may not emit light in all directions and, though prices have been falling, they are costly.

How much light do you need?

If you only want to brighten up your room, you can look for a ceiling fan with a single light in the center. It will keep you cool and provide the desired amount of illumination at an affordable price.

If your room needs more light, you can look for models with multiple lights. Look at different models to see if they provide down lighting or spread more light towards the sides of the room.

Do you prefer a warm or cool lighting?

Think about whether you prefer warm or cool lighting and look for a ceiling fan that provides it. Find out if the ceiling fan you are considering is equipped with bulbs that provide the type of light you prefer.

If you prefer cool lighting, you may not like the light produced by incandescent bulbs. You may prefer a bulb that emits cool light, such as a CFL bulb or an LED bulb.

How important is energy efficiency?

If you’re concerned about energy efficiency, avoid using standard incandescent bulbs. CFL and LED bulbs are more energy efficient and they last longer.

However, these energy-efficient light bulbs cost a lot more than regular incandescent bulbs, and the energy savings may not be significant if you don’t use your ceiling fan continuously for long periods of time.

Consider the décor of your room

Pick a fan with lights that match the décor of your room. If you want a decorative ceiling fan that will improve the looks of your room, consider the fancier models with clusters of ornamental lights. This can totally change the ambiance of your room.

However, if the décor of your room is quite plain, you can consider a model with a simpler design that only has a single light in the center. A wide variety of fans with lights is available, and you can pick one that appeals to you.

See the effects of the lights before you decide

It isn’t easy to visualize the effects produced by different types of lights unless you actually see them in a room. You could end up with the wrong ceiling fan if you buy it without knowing about the type of lighting effect it creates.

It’s best to visit a retail outlet to see how fans with different kinds of lights look. See if they provide the type of light you like and create an ambiance that appeals to you.

To get a ceiling fan you like at a great price, visit the websites of a few retailers and compare prices. Remember to browse through customer reviews before you make up your mind. We hope these tips to choose a ceiling fan with lighting will help you to pick the right model.